--- title: "Edinburgh 2002: Tuesday: A Diet or a Philosophy? - Jane Bowler’s Congress Report - IVU - International Vegetarian Union" description: "Edinburgh 2002: Tuesday: A Diet or a Philosophy? - Jane Bowler’s Congress Report: International Vegetarian Union (IVU) 35th World Vegetarian Congress 'Food for all our futures' Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland July 8-14, 2002 Hosted by The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom The International Vegetarian Congress: The" url: "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3298-congress-2002-texts-bowler-tuesday.html" date: "2026-11-06T02:13:48+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # Edinburgh 2002: Tuesday: A Diet or a Philosophy? - Jane Bowler’s Congress Report **International Vegetarian Union (IVU)** | ![IVU logo](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/members/pics/ivu-con1.gif) | 35th World Vegetarian Congress **'Food for all our futures'** --- Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland July 8-14, 2002 | Hosted by [![](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/congress/2002/bluelogo.gif) **The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom**](http://www.vegsoc.org/) | |---|---|---| | **The International Vegetarian Congress:** **The highlight of National Vegetarian Week 2002** *By Jane Bowler (editor of The Vegetarian - VSUK magazine)* **Tuesday: a diet or a philosophy?** After his interesting talk on Monday, I was pleased to find that Derek Antrobus was presenting a workshop on Tuesday. Derek told his audience that he is intrigued to discover whether vegetarianism is inevitably linked to interest in 'green' issues, left-wing political views and campaigning against injustice. He suggested that people may have one of two 'world views'. The 'holistic' view is that humans are an integral part of nature. Those who hold this view are inclined towards reverence for all life and a profound egalitarianism. The 'anthropocentric' view is that humans are at the top of a hierarchy, and set apart from 'nature' in general. Nature is to be used by humans, and controlled or exploited to human advantage. The holistic view was popular at the time of Pythagoras (2600BC). At this time the Greeks believed that the earth itself was a living organism, from which all living beings sprang and to which eventually they returned. Pythagoras posited a theory on the 'transmigration' of souls which meant that after death, the soul would move into another living organism so a human soul might later live in an animal. He went on to suggest that, if this was the case, to eat an animal might be to eat one's relative! Pythagoras set up communities with radically egalitarian principles, which advocated equal rights for women and universal free education. Aristotle was a major proponent of the hierarchical view of nature. He argued that animals do not have souls, and so they are lower in the hierarchy than humans. Aristotle was determined that it was right and proper for humans to eat animals. Later, human-centred religions fostered the view that God gave humans dominion over animals. Vegetarianism was a direct challenge to the religious order, and the vegetarian diet became known in some circles as 'the heretic's feast'. Derek reiterated that, according to his studies, the link between vegetarianism and an interest in egalitarianism and social justice was no co-incidence. He suggested that whatever is behind a person's decision to go vegetarian, that decision can lead to a gradual awakening to other related issues. Perhaps, he suggested, vegetarianism is not just a diet, but a philosophy of life, with campaigning vegetarians acting as a real force for good in the world! A note on this archive. The history section of this website is drawn from a body of legacy content originally compiled by John Davis, former manager of the International Vegetarian Union. It represents his curation of historical material, and in places includes passages written by him directly. Over the years, the IVU website has migrated between several different hosting servers. In the course of these migrations, a number of PDF files were unfortunately lost, and **some links to PDF documents may no longer function**. Where this is the case, we have chosen to leave the original link text in place, as it may itself carry information of historical value. - Hits: 530 ### Vegan Recipes - [![Apricot Cake](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/June_Apricot_b52328d2d3f9fc5136c02f8637c2e05e.jpg "Apricot Cake")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/apricot-cake.html "Apricot Cake") #### [Apricot Cake](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/apricot-cake.html "Apricot Cake") [Baking](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/baking.html) [Austria](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/austria.html) [Desserts](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/deserts.html) [European](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/european.html) - [![Senegalese Peanut Soup](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/senegalese-peanut-soup-1776468463_67b348d1590899603d15a73ad98d0a28.jpg "Senegalese Peanut Soup")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/senegalese-peanut-soup.html "Senegalese Peanut Soup") #### [Senegalese Peanut Soup](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/senegalese-peanut-soup.html "Senegalese Peanut Soup") [Soups](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/soup.html) [African](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/african.html) [Senegal](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/senegal.html) - [![Hearty African Bean Soup](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/hearty-african-bean-soup-1776462082_002cf25c5bdf5575608d72137872176f.jpg "Hearty African Bean Soup")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/hearty-african-bean-soup.html "Hearty African Bean Soup") #### [Hearty African Bean Soup](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/hearty-african-bean-soup.html "Hearty African Bean Soup") [Protein Rich](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/proteiin-rich.html) [Main course](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/main-course-for-lunch-and-dinner.html) [Soups](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/soup.html) [African](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/african.html) ### VFA Blog - [![Fenugreek](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/fenugreek-big_1bf32858e11cc51d11bcce4c8ed83361.jpg "Fenugreek")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/fenugreek.html "Fenugreek") #### [Fenugreek](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/fenugreek.html "Fenugreek") - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/fenugreek.html) ### Science - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) [ Rapid global phaseout of animal agriculture has the potential to stabilize greenhouse gas levels for 30 years](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) [ Animal Agriculture and Climate change a Qualitative holistic note](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) [ Environmental Impact of Two Plant Based Isocaloric and Isoproteic Diets The Vegan Diet vs the Mediterranean Diet](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) Popular ### History [ ![Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/0f49c89d1e7298bb9930789c8ed59d48.jpg) Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/283-taiwans-climate-legislation-embraces-plant-based-eating.html "Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating") [ ![Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/6a9aeddfc689c1d0e3b9ccc3ab651bc5.jpg) Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/282-chinese-dietary-guidelines-2022-guideline-4-eat-fish-poultry-eggs-and-lean-meat-in-moderation.html "Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation") [ ![Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/e3796ae838835da0b6f6ea37bcf8bcb7.jpg) Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/281-reply-to-proposal-no-4748-agriculture-and-water-conservancy-category-no-297-of-the-third-session-of-the-13th-national-committee-of-the-chinese-peoples-political-consultative-conference.html "Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference") ### Download the Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet for Kids and Adolescents - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) [ vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Popular 7676 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) [ Booklet IVU portugues web](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) Popular 7320 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) [ Nutrition Guide for Students (with Khmer Translation)](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) Popular 6052 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) [ ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン栄養ガイド](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) Popular 5524 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) [ BROȘURA DE NUTRIȚIE VEGETARIANĂ - Romanian](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) Popular 5040 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) [ CARTEL DE NUTRICIÓN VEGETARIANA](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) Popular 4559 downloads ### Nutrition - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) [ What are the best sources of protein Introducing the BPI Score](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) Popular 603 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) [ 2024 The OMNIVEG STUDY Health outcomes of shifting from a traditional to a vegan Mediterranean diet in healthy men A controlled crossover trial](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) Popular 2782 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) [ Plant Based Nutrition Exploring Health Benefits for Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome—A Comprehensive Review](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) Popular 3835 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) [ 2024 Plant and Animal Fat Intake and Overall and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Main Folder All Cause Mortality](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) Popular 4052 downloads ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/02/adult-guide-029d8cad.png)### The International Vegetarian Union’s Vegan Nutrition Guide for Adults In 2 versions: - [For healthcare professionals](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/the-international-vegetarian-union-s-vegan-nutrition-guide-for-adults-healthcare-professionals.html) - [General Public Edition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/guide-for-non-healthcare-professionals.html) [Get it now](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide.html) ![](https://ivu.org/images/banners/booklet2.jpg)### Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet A Dietary Approach to Vegetarianism for Kids and Adolescents The intention of this booklet is present to kids and adolescents a healthy vegan diet [Read more](https://ivu.org/nutrition/vegetarian-nutrition-book-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Vegan Nutrition ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/a6/logo_IVU_01_SLOGAN-a678b962.png) ### Presidents, Chair and Council - [IVU President and Chair of the International Council](https://ivu.org/ivu-chair.html) - [IVU Honorary President](https://ivu.org/ivu-honorary-president.html) - [International Council](https://ivu.org/international-council.html) ### Departments - [Fund-raising](https://ivu.org/fund-raising.html) - [Global Health](https://ivu.org/global-health-department.html) - [Medicine and Nutrition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/medicine-and-nutrition.html) - [Policy Initiatives](https://ivu.org/policies-initiatives.html) - [Articles](https://ivu.org/policies-initiatives/policies-iniciatives-articles.html) ### Regions - [Europe](https://ivu.org/europe-union.html) - [Latin America](https://ivu.org/latin-america.html) - [North America](https://ivu.org/north-america.html) - [Africa](https://ivu.org/africa-continent.html) - [Asia-Pacific](https://ivu.org/asia-pacific-region.html) - [Asia-South & India](https://ivu.org/asia-south-west.html) - [Asia-West & Middle East](https://ivu.org/asia-west-middle-east.html) - [Contacts](https://ivu.org/contact-ivu.html) ### Blogs - [Cynthia Schuck](https://ivu.org/cynthia-schuck.html) - [John Davis](https://ivu.org/john-davis.html) - [Marly Winckler](https://ivu.org/marly-winckler.html) - [Vegan Food Academy](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page.html) - [Login](https://ivu.org/login-2.html) | ## Schema ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2002-congress-2002-index.html?view=article&id=3298:congress-2002-texts-bowler-tuesday&catid=116","url":"https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2002-congress-2002-index.html?view=article&id=3298:congress-2002-texts-bowler-tuesday&catid=116","name":"Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland — part 18 of 20","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":[{"@id":"https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu.html#archive"},{"@id":"https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2002-congress-2002-index.html?view=article&id=3299:congress-2002-texts-bowler&catid=116"}],"publisher":{"@id":"https://ivu.org/#organization"},"description":"International Vegetarian Union (IVU) 35th World Vegetarian Congress 'Food for all our futures' Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland July 8-14, 2002 Hosted by The Vegetarian Society of the…","about":{"@id":"https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu.html#wvc-2002"}}]} ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://ivu.org" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "IVU", "item": "https://ivu.org/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Resources", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Interviews", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "History of the Vegetarian Societies", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "name": "congress", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "name": "2002", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "name": "texts", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "name": "Edinburgh 2002: Tuesday: A Diet or a Philosophy? - Jane Bowler’s Congress Report", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3298-congress-2002-texts-bowler-tuesday.html" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3298-congress-2002-texts-bowler-tuesday.html" }, "headline": "Edinburgh 2002: Tuesday: A Diet or a Philosophy? - Jane Bowler’s Congress Report", "description": "Edinburgh 2002: Tuesday: A Diet or a Philosophy? - Jane Bowler’s Congress Report: International Vegetarian Union (IVU) 35th World Vegetarian Congress 'Food for all our futures' Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland July 8-14, 2002 Hosted by The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom The International Vegetarian Congress: The", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "International Vegetarian Union", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://ivu.org/images/logos/logo-ivu-tranparent-background.png" } }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alex Fernandes", "url": "https://ivu.org/international-council.html" }, "datePublished": "2026-06-30T23:46:10+00:00", "dateCreated": "2026-06-09T00:02:13+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-10-08T00:52:13+00:00" } ```